Prosperity

Prosperity: What does it mean to you?

This week I want to touch on a topic that has been on my mind for weeks, one that will be the theme of my next Virtual Cacao Ceremony, “Prosperity Flows,” coming up this Sunday, November 7th. Recently, I have had to do a lot of soul searching around the concept of prosperity and what it means to me. Most dictionaries define the word “prosperous” as “successful in material terms, flourishing financially,” a definition I would have agreed with wholeheartedly in my earlier incarnation as an investment banker. Back in a life where money made the world go-round and success was achieved through financial gains and the creation of wealth. However, during what I would call my spiritual awakening, I discovered a passion for teaching I had overlooked for so many years. So, I decided to take a chance and jump off the corporate ladder to begin this new life. In the process, I came to realize that I had to redefine my relationship with money, success, and ultimately – my notion of prosperity.

Since then, I have focused on following my passion for Kundalini, Cacao, Sound Healing & Reiki with all the spirit & love I could muster. And while my paychecks are vastly different than they were as a broker, I am experiencing a “richness” of life in ways I never dreamed possible. I am thriving physically, emotionally and spiritually with a sense of faith, grace & ease. I am prospering. But, of course, the old structures & teachings sometimes crash in and make me doubt everything I am doing. And, of course, this makes me vulnerable, and I begin to question myself & my choices. So, to confront this anxiousness I began talking to friends, researching, and pondering…. repeatedly asking myself – What truly does prosperity mean to me?

In capitalist society, economic growth & notions of monetary prosperity (consumerism) rule most people’s entire life. Yet humans aren’t born as capitalists. Opportunistic? Of course. We are most certainly wired for survival. However, these notions of happiness by personal acquisition and power “can often compete or interact negatively with health, happiness or spiritual notions,” and quite possibly prevent us from obtaining a spiritually prosperous life. All the toys in the world can’t make a person happy, though it does help from time to time! Yet think about those long hours you’re spending at work, building a business or just trying to keep a household – and other people’s lives – running smoothly. Our attempts at “keeping up with the Joneses” can keep us away from the core things that contribute to our overall happiness. We tend to neglect things like the time that should be spent improving our mental & physical health – and we often see only tedium in self care: meditation, exercise, and healthy eating. We need to make time for our own spiritual growth, spend more quality time with our families, all the while looking to create opportunities to contribute to the community & the collective! 
In Buddhist societies, prosperity is viewed as “an emphasis on collectivism and spirituality.” Let’s think about that for a moment… Does our modern day, Western world focus on monetary wealth & social status negatively impact a more holistic sense of overall prosperity, mind, body & spirit? I believe the answer is yes. But, this does not mean we have to give up monetary success to be gratified or spiritually satisfied. There is a balance. I believe it simply means we need to review our own personal definition of prosperity and discover what resonates most fully in our hearts.

I invite you to tune in to the things that make YOU THRIVE as a human. Are you prioritizing the things that make you healthy, happy & whole? Are you living your best life? Are you flourishing? 

These are not simple questions, and I have found the answers aren’t simple either. So I am actively committing myself to keep digging deep inside to find the right balance between financial success & LIFE success. I am committed to flourishing so I can inspire others to do the same.

I invite you to join me on this journey of self-discovery, be it through ceremony, sound, yoga, meditation or the Alchemy of Becoming. The time is now to redefine what exactly what prosperity means to you, so YOU can THRIVE with an open heart & open mind, free from any confines or constructs so that YOU may start living your best life, to the best of your ability, mind, body & soul.
So let’s assess our beliefs in the notion of prosperity and identify what gets us there. Together, we can redefine our true values and take one step higher on the ladder of success. While your success may look differently than mine, we all share common bonds that bring us together into this joyful noise we call life. So go forth – and prosper!

 With love, light & a sprinkle of cacao, 
Candace